Chris Baker
AP Composition
12/16/08
Period 6
A Degree In Psychology
"Psychology (from Greek ψῡχή, psȳkhē, "breath, life, soul"; and -λογία, -logia)
is an academic and applied discipline involving the scientific study of
mental processes and behaviors" (Psychology 2008). People that elect
psychology to be their elective in college are intrigued by the the
human behavior and why people are the way that are. This study focus
highly on the theory of why people in interact with others when they
are placed in certain situations. Just because someone gets a degree in
psychology, does not mean that they want to pursue a career as a
psychologist.
Individuals with
a degree in psychology may pursue careers in one of many careers. They
could be anything from a veterans advisor to law enforcement officer."Only about 25% of undergraduate psychology majors nationally go to graduate school. It's
best to think of your undergraduate education in psychology as learning
"about" psychology, not learning "to do" psychology. McGovern,
Furumoto, Halpern, Kimble, and McKeachie (1991) made this point clear
when they stated that "a liberal arts education in general, and the
study of psychology in particular, is a preparation for lifelong
learning, thinking, and action; it emphasizes specialized and general
knowledge and skills" (p. 600). A quality undergraduate education in
psychology should prepare you to be a good citizen and a critical
thinker "(Landrum 2001).
There are seven major branches of psychology, each dealing with a different subjects."Abnormal Psychology deals
with behavior disorders and disturbed individuals. Clinical Psychology
uses the understandings derived from developmental and abnormal
psychology to diagnose and treat mental disorders and adjustment
issues. Comparative Psychology explores the differences and
similarities in the behavior of animals of different species.
Developmental Psychology studies the emotional, intellectual,
and social changes that occur across the life spans of human beings.
Educational Psychology attempts to improve teaching methods and
materials, to solve learning problems, and to measure learning ability
and educational progress. Industrial Psychology is concerned with
people at work. Social Psychology studies the social behavior of
individuals and groups, with special emphasis on how behavior is
affected by the presence or influence of other people" (Major fields of
psychology 2006).
"The
psychology curriculum includes such courses as Introduction to
Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Statistics, Learning, Research
Methods, Abnormal Psychology, Physiological Psychology, American
Culture and the Black Experience, and History of
Psychology."(Psychology major 2008) People who study psychology have an
active interest of helping people overcome the issues that have had a
profound impact on how people may currently be living their life. "With
a strong background in research and the scientific method, a Psychology
major pursues a field of study that seeks to educate, communicate, and
resolve many of the problems surrounding human behavior" (Major:
Psychology 2008)
Reference List
Landrum, Eric.2008. I'm getting my bachelor's degree in psychology--what can I do with it? Psi Chi. http://www.psichi.org/pubs/articles/article_50.asp Major fields of psychology. 2006. A2ZPsychology.com. http://www.a2zpsychology.com/ARTICLES/major_fields_of_psychology.htm Major: psychology. 2008. The Princeton Review. http://www.theprincetonreview.com/Majors.aspx?cip=420101&page=1&uidbadge=%07 Psychology.2008. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology
Psychology major. 2008. School of Arts and Sciences.
http://www1.wnec.edu/artsandsciences/index.cfm?selection=doc.634
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